Washington, D.C. – Rep. Mark Meadows (NC-11), Rep. Brad Schneider (IL-10), House Foreign Affairs Chairman Ed Royce (CA-39) and Ranking Member Eliot Engel (NY-16) will introduce legislation that would toughen economic sanctions against Hezbollah, a terrorist organization that continues to pose a threat to the United States, our allies and interests throughout the Middle East, and well beyond.

The Hezbollah International Financial Prevention Act takes a comprehensive approach to addressing the threat posed by Hezbollah by imposing severe new sanctions on Hezbollah’s fundraising channels and restricting its ability to use its funds to support global terrorist activities. Dealing a blow to Hezbollah’s finances will reduce its capacity to sow instability in the Middle East and cut off a major source of terrorist support.

“The United States must deal with Hezbollah firmly and decisively with unyielding resolve by crippling its extensive, illegal financial network. Hezbollah’s days of unhindered criminal operations and terrorist activity are numbered,” Rep. Meadows said.

“Hezbollah continues to represent a threat to the United States, Israel and the entire region,” Schneider said. “Right now, Hezbollah uses its global financial connections to launder money and help fund terrorist activities. This bill will help stifle that financial network and give the United States more tools to crack down on Hezbollah’s global terrorist activities.”

“Prior to September 11th, 2001, Hezbollah was responsible for more American deaths than any other terrorist organization.”  Royce said.  “Since that time their capabilities have grown, enabling them to attack the U.S. and our allies around the world—from the Philippines, to Bulgaria, and in even on our doorstep in South America.  We cannot afford to ignore this threat.  This vital legislation empowers the Administration to strike at Hezbollah’s fundraising and international financing.”

“The threat of Hezbollah has grown substantially as the region becomes more unstable,” Engel said. “Hezbollah’s actions in Syria—directed by their patrons in Iran—have helped keep the Assad regime in power.  They must be held responsible for their destructive actions in Syria and the threat that they continue to pose to our ally, Israel.  I support the Hezbollah International Financing Prevention Act because I believe it will give the Administration the tools they need to break any lifeline to Hezbollah and will work to seek its passage in Congress.”

###